Once in their life, everyone thinks about sharing something personal with someone to resolve a troubling issue. Typically, this role is assigned to nail technicians, hairdressers, astrologers, tarot readers, or perhaps psychologists.
NOTE: This article was translated with the assistance of AI.
The modern development of information technologies has made it accessible for anyone interested to learn such professions.
Here’s a riddle. Let’s imagine an abstract accountant, engineer, journalist, or social media manager who one day decides, “This isn’t for me; I want to work for myself, not for someone else,” and starts exploring options for additional education. After six months of online courses, they proudly hold the title of “Consulting Psychologist.”
Yes, anyone at any point in life can now change their profession. But what happens if we dig deeper? What motivates a person to enter the field of psychology? Credit should undoubtedly be given to those who genuinely engage in “consulting,” have undergone proper supervision after changing careers, and use validated scientific methods in their practice. But what about those who pursue this field purely for financial gain? After all, the earning potential is indeed attractive—just take a look at the average fees charged by therapists and connect the dots.
For Science!
The era of “infogypsies” has muddied the waters of psychology to the point where even state universities are teaching and promoting methods in practice that have nothing to do with scientific rigor.
Why is this happening? The answer is simple: trends. Demand creates supply. Want neurography? Sure, let’s draw some lines. Fancy metaphorical cards? We’ll gladly churn out decks that resemble Dixit or Imaginarium more than an art therapy method. Believe it’s all about your mother and unresolved grievances? We’ll happily offer family constellations and drag you through the nine circles of childhood hell again. And that’s just a fraction of what’s currently infiltrating the professional space of psychology.
The saddest part is that an average client often doesn’t discern what method is being used and where it originates. Moreover, the client typically evaluates their experience based on whether they like it or feel it helps, rather than understanding the validity of the approach. From this, clients often come to a common question: “If I can talk to anyone, why should I work with a psychologist?”
A competent specialist always knows how to answer this, whereas a narcissistic sadist posing as a consultant won’t. How to distinguish a counterfeit from an authentic original? Let’s explore further.
1. Education
You have every right to inquire about and request proof of a psychologist’s qualifications at any time before or during your interaction. If they refuse? Draw your conclusions. A psychologist can (but is not obligated to) share their approach and credentials. However, keep in mind that experience and age do not automatically make a psychologist a guru. Sometimes, a young specialist fresh out of university may turn out to be the most valuable discovery for you.
2. Decision-Making
No psychologist has the right to decide what you should do. No matter the issue, the decisions are yours to make. In certain situations, a therapist may nudge you toward greater self-respect or self-preservation, especially in cases of domestic violence. However, if you feel that the psychologist is making all the decisions for you, it’s a red flag. This also applies to scenarios where you’re told you must attend two sessions a week for six months or you’ll never resolve your problem—unless we’re talking about severe conditions like depression.
3. Understanding Limits
A good psychologist understands the boundaries of their expertise and capabilities. If they say, “I don’t use that method,” or admit to having limited experience with a specific issue, congratulations—you might be in the right place. This also includes meeting structure: you must be informed about the time, cost, and conditions of the consultation.
For example, there was a case where, during a session involving metaphorical cards, the client was charged 4,500 rubles instead of the initially agreed-upon 2,000 because the session exceeded 50 minutes. The client was expected to track the time themselves. Unfortunately, time management is the psychologist’s responsibility, and it’s non-negotiable. This is the foundation on which the therapeutic dynamic is built.
To wrap up this parade of ideas, let’s say this: if you’re completely satisfied with your psychologist, despite their blatant disregard for proper consulting techniques, lack of education, or anything else, then forget everything you’ve read here. Meanwhile, let’s move forward and figure out why psychology sometimes doesn’t work.
Let’s Get to the Point
Now, let’s address why even a competent specialist might not be able to help you. Settle in, count on your fingers, and answer these questions:
1. Why are you here?
Is it to change yourself or to change someone else? A psychologist works only with your attitudes. We can help you improve the quality of your relationships, but we can’t cure your husband’s alcoholism.
2. Did you come to a psychologist because a friend suggested it?
At this point, you need to reflect. Do you truly have a problem that you cannot handle on your own? Or is it just that your friend thinks your “moon is in zenith”?
3. Does your psychologist start to irritate or upset you by the fourth or fifth session?
There are two possible explanations:
• First, you’re in a healthy social dynamic, and your projections onto the specialist have started to surface. Remember, a psychologist is not your mother or best friend. They’re an independent figure in your life who may occasionally frustrate or upset you to help you learn how to process those feelings.
• Second, the psychologist may lack the skills to handle long-term sessions or understand the dynamics of consulting.
Which one applies to you? An open conversation with your therapist can clarify this. Share your feelings with them—if they’re a professional, they’ll help you work through it.
In the End, It’s a Roll of the Dice
Everything that happens in a psychologist’s office is, to some extent, a matter of chance. The most important thing is what you take away from the session: how you interpret it, live with it, and what you accept.
You have every right to disagree with your psychologist, form your own conclusions, and have your own insights. Therapy results can take years to emerge—or they might happen in just three sessions.
This relativity is what brought the infamous phrase “the most effective method” into psychology, and with it, countless charlatans into the profession.
